Title
Discussion to Consider Incorporating a Discussions and Alternative Dispute Resolution Process Into the City Council Member Handbook
StaffReport
SUMMARY
At the direction of the City Council Rules Committee on September 23, 2026, this item proposes adding a discussions and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process to the City Council Member Handbook to support early and effective resolution of disputes among Councilmembers.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the City Council Rules Committee approve the proposed discussions and ADR process and authorize its inclusion in the City Council Member Handbook.
BACKGROUND
On January 5, 2026, the City Council considered the public release of an independent investigation report related to a complaint submitted by Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen to the Human Resources Department. As part of its action, the Council directed staff to return with an item addressing restorative justice mediation for the City Council.
The Council discussed the topic on April 6, 2026, and subsequently referred it to the City Council Rules Committee for further evaluation, including whether restorative justice mediation should be incorporated into the City Council Internal Discipline Policy (Administrative Code Title A1, Chapter 13).
The Rules Committee first reviewed the item on April 22, 2026, and continued it to allow for additional research, including defining restorative justice mediation and assessing its implications for the Council’s discipline framework. Councilmember Fred Simon submitted proposed amendments to the Internal Discipline Policy for Committee consideration.
On June 24, 2026, the Committee reviewed the matter again and determined that the full City Council should first clarify its direction. The Council revisited the item on September 8, 2026, and directed the Committee to explore facilitated discussions as an early conflict resolution tool and to propose corresponding updates to the Council Handbook.
On September 23, 2026,...
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